Multiple phase transitions in rare earth RE₅T₄M₁₀ (T=Rh, Ir and M=Si, Ge, Sn)

Abstract

Rare earth compounds of the type RE₅ T₄ M₁₀ (T=Rh, Ir and M=Si, Ge, Sn) display a variety of phase transitions ranging from charge density wave (CDW), local moment magnetism, antiferromagnetism in the heavy fermion state, superconductivity and giant positive magnetoresistance. In particular, RE₅Ir₄Si₁₀ (RE=Dy-Lu) compounds exhibit strong coupling CDW at high temperatures and superconductivity or magnetic ordering at low temperatures, while RE₅Rh₄Ge₁₀ (RE=Gd-Tm) show multiple magnetic transitions with large magnetoresistance below the magnetic transitions. Finally, the light rare earth series RE₅T₄Sn₁₀ (RE=Ce, Pr, Nd, T=Rh, Ir) display heavy fermion behaviour (for Ce and Pr) and giant positive magneto resistance (for Nd) at low temperatures.